Abstract
To analyze factors related to underachievement of intellectually gifted students, a study based on the Bioecological Theory was conducted. Firstly, information from a database of a gifted identification program was utilized to screen these students. Two students were identified. They reached 95 percentile or upper in the BPR-5 or in one of their subtests and had an average grade below the school´s average. One of the students participated in the second phase. One family member, one peer and one educator - who best knew the student - were identified by the student and participated in a semi-structured interview. Low motivation to learn was the main obstacle to unlocking the student´s potential. There is evidence that the school curriculum and family of the student have not been able to motivate the student to learn. The limitations, especially those related to the concept of underachieving gifted, and implications of the study will be analyzed.
Keywords:
Gifted; academic failure; intelligence
